OPEN LOVE 



A EOMANOE OF 
GREENWICH VILLAGE 



By 
GUSTAV BOWHAN 




MECCA PUBLISHING CO. 
1 Sheridan. Square N«w York 



dss= 



OPEN LOVE 

A ROMAXCE OF 
GREEXWIC'H VILLAGE 



By 
GUSTAV BOWHAN 



rr 



MECCA PUBLISHING CO, 
1 Sheridan Square 

New York 

J '''\ ■ - 






Entered according to Act of Congress- 

Copyi-ighted by Gustav Baubahn 

1920. 



-o. 



All rights reserved, including rights of production. 
Application for the rights of production whether amateur 
or professioujal, should be made to the author- 
Mecca Publishing Co., 1 Sheridan Square, 
New York City, N. Y. 



iGI.D 5 5 242 







PART ONE 



To live, to love, that is life, a happy thought, 
but a strange one to use as a constitution for 
a settlement- Under this unwritten law the 
Bohemians settled in Greenwich Village, to love 
their art, their neighbors (their female neigh- 
bors preferred by the men) and themselves. 
Many strange secret organizations were formed, 
built upon strange ideals, but none so strange 
as that of the Populators club. 

It was an early spring morning, and the sun 
flowed into the meeting room of the club, light- 
ing up every nook and corner. The room was one 
mass of drawings, portraits and bric-a-brac, 
completely hiding the bare walls, furnished in 
soft red, with a big mohagaiiy table in the cen- 
ter. Henry Lowden, a middle aged artist who 
is yet to hi recognized, was writing. He pauses 
and thinks for a moment, then rising, walks 
over to the windov/, picks up the calendar and 
mutters to himself, "The Day." Kerl the se- 
cretary enters through the big doors. 



OPEN LOVE 



KEliL 

I expect this will be a very busy day Sir. 

LOWDEN 
Yes Kerl, but don't tidy up the room, or 
you'll throw all the others on their nen^es. 

KERL 
Artists are peculiar. Excuse me for express- 
ing my views. Beg pardon. 

LOWDEN 
i\o harm. I'd rather you would always ex- 
press your views. You think them anyway. 
KERL 
Thank you Sir. 

LOWDElN" {tvalking to the table and sitti}ig)\. 

JSTow asi to us Bohemians- 1 confess we are pe- 
culiar, so broad and open over the big worldly 
questions, so small and narrow over minor 
things. 

{Harold Beclxmau, fat, 'jolly, well on in, 
years hut still retaining his youth in spirit, eu' 
ters and sits doum in the hig easy chair ivith a 
sigh.) 

LOWDEN 

Ah my dear Brother Beckman, how are you 
this fine day? 

(Kerl takes some papers from the desk and 
leaves them alone, shutting the doors after him.) 



OPEN LOVE 



BECKMAN" 
Fine Lowden, fine. What do you think? 
I am leaving my studio. 

LOWDEN 
Why? It was perfect. 

BECKMAN" (excited) 

Because I have been insulted by the land- 
lady. It is terrible. Ydu know my master 
piece, "The Moon in a Fog." She calls it ',Aii 
Egg in a Pan". I cannot live with such igno- 
rance, so I go. 

LOWDEJST (rising and going to him) 

Don't be hast}^ It's a fine place. She 
doesn't understand. 

BECKMAX 

Perliaps you are right. I'll think it over. 
(he rises and folloivs Loivden to the table) 
Oh, you have looked up the application of 
my friend Avhcm I proposed for the club. 

LOWDEX 

(sitting and looking through his papers) 
Let me see. Andres Pouas, Italian. 

BECKMAN 

Yes. 



g OPKN LOVE 

LOWDEN 

I've investigated his past before putting it 
up to the committee. 

BECKMAN^ 

ITow does lie standi 

LOWDEX 

It looks bad. To bogin with, he was re- 
spectably married once. That will hurt him 
here. 

BECKJ^rAN' 
That is bad. 

LOWDEX 

Then he has always led such a quiet life, 
devoid of any open love affairs. 

BEOKMAN {shahing his head) 
A poor Italian. 

LOWDEX 

And a poor candidate for our club. However 
I wall present his name to the committee 
even with his great faults of respectability- But 
today we have big work to do. 

BECKMAN 

I should say so. Why we may make history. 



OPEN LOVE ' () 



LOWDEX 

Control your emotions. We may fail, much 
is against us. 

V\'"it]i a sweep Marij Jane enters. She is cu 
typical Village type, bleached short bobbed hair,, 
flashing eyes, ivith a fierce detenninaiiom 
in every move. 

MARY JAXE , ' 

Hello members, is everything set? ) 

LOWDEX (rising and bowing) . 

Couldn't be better. 

Enter Marie Grail the Old Maid of the Club, 
tall, lean, pert, a typical type. 

MARIE 
Every time I come into this room, I feel 
my l'>oheniian 1:!loGd rush to m}' head. 

^IXRX JAXE 
That's water on the brain. 

BECKMAX 

It is a romantic room, unlike any other. 

MARY JAXE 
Of course. And why i Because we down here 
in the village have sense- Most people paint or 
paper their walls, (snaps her fingers) Rubbish. 
Do you paint clothes en your naked body? 
(answering herself) Of course not- You dress it. 
Then why paint naked walls? 



10 OPEN LOVE 



BECKMATsT (applauding) 
Bravo, Bravo. Excellent. 

MARIE 
Fine feathers make fine birds. 

LOWDEX 
Xonsense. You evidently never saw royal- 
ty dressed up. 

MARY JAXE 
But the room pleases, and so it shall stand. 

BECKMA^ 
You are right. These pictures will never 
grow old or become out of date. 

Anrm Map, a- big heavy set woman ivlio is 
president of the club enters after having heard 
the last of the conversation. 
AXNA 
ISTor will an artist ever become different. 

MARIE 
I'm not an artist myself, but according to 
most pictures I have seen, artists can't change 
wha»t they don't wear, unless they change leaves 
to keep in season, 

BECKMAI^ 
Such lack of inspiration I have never seen. 

LOWDE^ 
Remember clothing is only a matter of 
whether or not the public accepts it. 



OPEN LOVE 11 



ANNxV 
Yes. A musical comedy manager told me 
that his women patrons were ruining his shows. 

MAKIE 
How's that ? 

ANNA 
Why, they keep showing less than you can see- 
on the stage-The otCier night he said the audience 
wore less than the chorus, and he had to take a 
little more off the girls to keep their eyes on the 
show. 

MARY J AXE 
The more he takes off the more the patrons 
do. Tney can't keep that up much longer. 

BECKMAN 
I would like to ba there the night they both 
catch up tc each other. Then I will say, „0h» 
this is heaven." (They all laugh). 

AXXA 

The uplift societies are fighting tins show- 
ing of limbs. 

LOWDEX 

Let them fight. As they say in slang, they 
haven't a leg to stand on. 

MARY JAXE 
That's just why they want us to hide ours. 



12 



OPEN LOVE 



ANNA 

We will show them today at the meeting. 
Xowden, you and Sweet mus't stay behind. I'm 
sorry but some-one must wait here. 

LOWDEjSr 

As you say, so we obey. 
BEOKMAN 

A toast let us drink. First to the success 
of the club. (They drink) And now to the girls 
we love- May their husbands never suspect them. 



OPEN LOVE 13 



. P A E T TWO 

Lowclen ^vitli liis friend Ralph Sweet, the 
sculptor, had been ordered to wait while the 
elub worked. Both wanted to be out doing their 
share, but an order to a Populator must be 
obeyed, without thought of emotions. Two 
hours later we find them still waiting for news. 

RALPH SWEET (After a pause) 
Pve never been so on my edge as today. 

LOWDEI:^ (Loohng up at him) 

We have never been through suich a crisis. 
.AH this work, preparation, it's all brought to 
:a point. 

SWEET (Coming doivn to the tahle) 

Yes, I know, I've prayed for the day, when 
we could get a chance to tell the world, to in- 
fluence it, and now that it is here, 

LOWDEiN" (Finishes his sentence) 
It is not the same thrill 

RALPH SWEET 
JSTo. I wonder whv? 



;14 OPEN LOVE 



LOWDEX 
Because we are doing something that is 
not sincere, not natural. We are being driven. 

SWEET 
That is not true. I know my ideals. 

LOWDEN (Eising) 
There, there, my dear Ralph, you must 
control yourself. Still I insist that we are be- 
ing driven. 

SWEET 
Driven in what way I 

LOW^DEIT 
Why in every way. 

SWEET 
. All the members of our club have come in 
of their own accord. They have broken tieSv 
with the outside world and join us without force 
or coaxing. You know that one of our strictest 
rule is that every member must aisk to join 
of his own free will, and no one must persuade 
him. 

LOWDEX 
That is true, I admit, but tell me, Ealph, of 
one single member who has joined our club, 
who has not done so because of some crisis he- 
has had before he joined us. A man is given. 



OPEN LOVE 15 



a bad decision by society, lie in the beat of bis 
wrong, takes arms against everybody, and joins 
our chib. Take yourself for instance. Is it not 
true? 

SWEET 

But tbey are not driven- 
LOWDEIS^ 

Tbey are. It is revenge tbat drives tbem 
to us, and pride tbat keeps tbem. After tbey 
have cooled down, tbey lose their bate but do 
not like to admit to themselves that tbey would 
be glad to re-enter society; after all their case 
was but one single personal affair. By con- 
stant speech they are driven to believe in the 
club. 

SWEET (Sitting) 

Still it's a wonderful organization. Don't 
you think so ? 

LOWDEN" (Sitting. again) 
In what way? 

SWEET 
In its ideals, hopes, for a handful of us to 
stand up and defy the whole world, with new 
thoughts' it's plucky- 

LOWDEN" 
Tell me, Ralph, you were one of the original 
members' how did it begin? 



16 



OPEN LOVE 



SWEET 
At first we artists had a fine settlement 
where we could work, love and play, but soon^ 
we received so much publicity that the village 
became overrun with t-irill seekers. Slowly the 
real artists gave way to fakers, so as a last 
stand we organized this club of ideals. Of late- 
it has changed a bit because of new members^ 
who, as you say, join because of a hate lov so- 
ciety. 

LOWDEN 
{Piising, going to door cind rhiging hell) 
A funny thing is life, and what can come- 
of it. Yes, I joined because I too, wanted to- 
get away from it all, but man's instincts are- 
the same all over; outside, in here, ever^^where. 
{The secretary enters) Is there any news yet?' 
KEEL 
Iso sir. Mr. Hazelton called up and said 
that Mr. Wilke would speak at two, and Miss 
Sweet immediately after him. It is now tea- 
minutes after three. It's a noble enterprise, sir.. 

LOWDE^sT 
You think so? 

KEEL 
Oh yes, sir, not because I'm your secretary^ 
and want to agree, but on general principles-- 
Man's law and his infernal family ties, — Bosh.. 



OPEN LOVE 1^ 



SWEET 

Family lies? What are tliey? I snap Bsy 
fingers at them. 

LOWDEX 

My dear Ralph, Don't turn your heart f8» 
stone. One's own flesh and blood are always 
ones own. 

SWEET 

A cat's kittens, a dog's pupis, a swinc*» 
sucklings; are her own flesh and blood. Yet tlieue 
isn't t-iat infernal sentiment between them. I 
have no family ties. My life is one thing, on© 
unit- I have a daughter. Sue hasi her own soul 
in a body furnished l)y man. If she was hiirt^ 
I would feel sorry, but outside of that, we have 
nothing in common. 

KEEL 
Bravo, Bravo, you are a true member. 
(stops) Excuse me for forgetting myself. 

LOWDEX 
I try to be in sympathy with you, and your 
ideals, try to live up to the club, try to see 
this for the good, but I can't. 

SWEET 

SloAvly and slowly me are spreading our 
Hght. 



OPEN LOVE 



LOWDEA^ iShakwg his head) 

I'm afraid, just afraid. 

SWEET (Eisiug) 

Afraid, afraid of what? Xow we say a 
couple has a boy. He is raised by the govern- 
ment, and all track of his parents are lost- He 
is made a soldier and goes to war. There is 
no wailing of a mother^ no dramatic speeches 
by the father and all that rot. He goes. It's new 
to him, an adventure. If he should be killed, 
well his body rots ^diile his s»oul flies on tilf it 
enters another life here, or strays into a higher 
plane. 

LOWDE^^ 
But you can not get parents, especially 
mothers, to part with their off-spring. 

SWEET 
Of course not. Many couples are married 
and work side by side as one set. Men as a 
^whole look upon little children as a nuisance, 
but the mother instict demands fulfillment. Xow 
if they knew that their child could and would 
be taken up by tlie government, nothing would 
block them. All this birth control would cease, 
.and all parties would be happy. 

LOW^DEN 
It's a grand mix up, a jumble to me. 



OPEX LOVE 10 



SWEET 

Then love, it must bo unshackled, open, free 
as the wind, for life is love, and love is life. To- 
day that large hall is crowded with press men 
from all over our country; if they are im- 
pressed, it will be read by millions, and then we 
can work. 

KERL {Going to the door) 
I will announce their arrival as soon as they 
come. (Exit) 

LOWDEX 
I hope your daug-iter doesn't get too tech- 
nical in her speech. 

SWEET 
My daughter ? You are personal. 

LOWDEX 
Pardon me. I speak of her as one unit, with- 
no ties. 

SWEET 
Quite right. 

LOWDEoSr {Looking at his watch) 
Time we were hearing something. 

SWEET 
If only they have made the spech of their 
lives. 



§0 OPEN LOVE 



LOWDEN 

The committee is to come right here as soon 
as it is over. 

SWEET {Going to windoiv) 
How much longer must we wait? 

LOWDEX 
They should be here any moment, unless 
Ifr. Wilke and your daughter spoke longer than 
planned. 

SWEET 
Perhaps Mr. Wilke did. 

Marie the Old Maid enters. 

MAEIE 
I am so excited. Oh, I'm glad I found 
joa two gentlemen here. Isn't it wonderful that 
we may impress upon this nation that every 
woman must do her share to poiDluate. 

SWEET 
Yes. 

MAEIE 
It makes me blush, really. Of course I'm 
not in my teens, but a young woman like me, is 
so sensitive. 

LOWDEIS" 

Yes? I didn't know. 



OPEN LOVE 21 



MAKIE 
Of course. I've turned clown so many 
men, simply because I tlic/uglit they were not fit. 
Now there was Jim. He was so smart, but 
could never produce a perfect offspring. Then 
there was Philip. He was a regular Hercules, 
but he was so ignorant. And John was half and 
half. 

LOWDEX 
Perhaps in the search for perfection you 
have lost everything. Strength can be developed 
education drummed into a head. So in 
my mind, anyone of your three suitors were 
fit. But to be frank as we always are in 
this club. I don't know whether you are fit ? 

I^rARIE 
J\Iy dear Mr. Lowden. I'm shocked. 

LOWDEX 
Imposible. As a member of the Populators, 
you can not be shocked. You are a unit. One 
is shocked when one is told something one 
already knows. If the shocked one did not know 
it, he would not be shocked. A man will swear 
like a trooper before his wife at home, but let 
some other man utter a little phrase before liis 
wife, she is shocked, and he wants to fight. 
Hypocrisy. You said you were shocked, because 
vou thought it was the right thing to sav. 



22 ' OPEN LOVE 



MARIE 
You have taken words and turned them on 
me. I believe in population by the masses. Ono 
child to a family. The rest belong to the state. 

LOWDEX 
Unless they are girls. 

SWEET 

It seems cold to say, I know, but in masses 
the individual is lost. 

LOWDEX 
I can't see it that way. I must be old 
fashioned or something. 

MARIE 
You are. That's why you don't understand. 

KERL 

Keti enters tlirough the big doors. 

They have ccime. The meeting is over. God, 
but they are excited. 

All of the committee file in and solemnly 
take their places around the table. Anna as pre- 
sident is at the head- 

SWEET 
Well? 

DERRICK (A committee member } 
Is all the committee present! 



OPEN LOVE 



23 



ANNA 

Yes. 

LOWDEN 

Well, what is the news ? 

ANXA 

As president of the Populators, I demand 
your attention. 

LOWDEN 
Tell ns the news. We're anxious. Why all 
this red tape? 

ANNA 

A Populator forgets his own emotions. Con- 
trol yourself I'nit. 

(Lowden sits. Anna takes the papers out 
of her desk. Then she rises). 

I will read the charter before we commence. 

SWEET 
First tell me, was my daughter successful? 

AXXA 

A body to which you helped give birth, in 
which God placed a soul, spoke. That is all. I 
was saying before I was interrupted, that I 
would read the cibarter. (^S'^e reads) 

We, the members of the Populators, 
believe that for centuries family ties and fool- 
ish sympatlliy have been a chain upon man- 
The responsibility and care of offspring has li- 



24 OPEN LOVE 



limited their iiiimboi's. That some women are 
good, many bad. That we may spread our 
teachings over the land, take the yonng away 
after their nursings like we do with animals, 
place t.iem in the world, and thus save them the 
sorrow when they must eventually be left alone. 
(She sits.) 

LOWDEX 



II 



SWEET 

LOWDE^ 

BECKMA^ 



^^ow? 

How was it? 
Success ? 

No. 

LOWDEX 

Not a success ? 

Mr. Wilke spoke first, lie was impressive and 
spoke to the point, lie started well, but always 
came right to the point without any explana- 
tion. He could be heard. His speech abounded 
with punch darLs, but after he had finished our 
main points, the audience know, but not what 
led up to them, or why, so that they seemed 
ridiculous. 

SWEET 
And my daughter? 



OPEN LOVE 25 



AXXA 

Mary Sweet spoke long, became tiresome. 
I tried to make her finish, but to no avail. She 
v>'ent into detail, explained every little twist, till 
at last she was off t'le subject and forgot her 
punches. So the aiidience while tliey listened, 
did not understand what she was driving at. 
\Ye must start anew. (She sits) 

LOWDEX 
That is too bad. Perhaps the newspapers 
will be kind. 

BECK:\[AX (Shakinc/ his head) 
Xo. They had to be entirely convinced. They 
-came, against us, looking on us as fakers, as if 
ve were a fad. To convince them there can be 
no half way- 

SWEET 
Too bad, but of course, my daughter is a 
unit by herself, I have nothing at all to do 
^vith her, 

MAPvIE 
If only I could have said a few things, I 
know I would have held them spellbound with 
my knowledge of life- 

AXXA 

Sit down- If we could have had a i^^an or 
woman who could detail like jMary, and put the 



26 



OPEN LOVE 



punches in it liie Mr. Wilke, our cause would 
have been won. 

SWEET 
Couldn't we hire some orator with that 
talent! 

ANNA 

Impossible, to begin with. He must be in 
accord with our plans, believe in them with 
heart and soul, or his talk will be false, no mat- 
ter how great he is. Anyway a famous speaker 
would not join a futurist enterprise like ours 
for fear he would ruin his reputation. 

BECKMAN 

Selfish, small minded masses. 

MARIE 
If I had a child, such would he be, a genius 
a marvel. 

ANNA 

Sit down. (She rises) Members of the Com- 
mittee, we must do something or all our work 
is lost- We have the money, we have every 
thing, except a representative to express our 
views. 

BECKMAN 
Perhaps we could hire some well known 
actor. We could write t-ie speeches- 



OPEN LOVE 27 



ANXA 

That is what we discussed before. Xo, it 
must come from the heart of the man who 
speaks. This is not developed by reading set 
lines. 

LOWDEX ■ 

It is a problem. I wonder if we couldn't 
take some ignorant man and educate him up to 
our ideals. 

BECKMAN^ 

If a man is ignorant, it is because he is de- 
stined to be so. A man can be poor, but learning 
is anybody's, who really strives for it. 

AXXA 

I think if we could train a child from 
youth up, teaching only our ideals, our thoughts, 
then .... 

EALPII SWEET 

But how would we know if he had talent. 
We might waste years on a mistake. 

DEBRKTv 
Sweet is right. Those things don't show 
until a child is matured. 

LOWDE^ 

It is a problem. One that seems hopeless 
to me; to raise a child takes years, then the 



28 OPEN LOVE 



chances are he will have some failing. Personal 
appearance, health, etc. 

RALrir SWEET 
That is true. 

'MARIE 
If you could take the good points of Mary 
Sweet and these of ^Ir. Wilko, put them 
together, that would solve the problem. 

beck:.ia.v 

You are a unit with the wisdom of an atom. 

AXXA 
Wait, she is right. It's a chance {They all 
ask how) 

LOWDEX 
What do you mean ? 

AXXA 

Xow Mary Sweet is a genius, she lacks only 
the phy.sical force to impress. X^ow, Mr. Wilke 
has the physical power to impress but lacks the 
power of going into detail. If they were brought 
together and had an offspring, would he not 
have the best qualities of each"? 

MARIE 

Suppose he had the two bad faults in him ? 

AX^XA 

Silence, that can b3 fixed. Each has only 



OPEN LOVE 29 



to bear what we want in mind. It's a chance 
We are all young enough and could see the 
experiment through all its great stages. For 
twenty years we could work, then the master 
Populator could conquer. 

EALPH SWEET 
I object to my daughter doing this, espe- 
cially without marriage. 

ANXA 

She is a unit. Conventions are man's, Whafe 
are you doing here if you have such ideas! 

BECKMAX 
But would tlicy consent? 

AXZS'A 

We could give them each $5000, make V.iem 
waive claim to their child- 

MARIE 
Why not make it $10,000 each and let them 
give us two genius, so if one is looney, the 
other might be all right. 

AXXA 
There's sense in that : two chances would be- 
better than one. I now propose it : those in favor 
say "aye", (They all answer *'aye" except 
Lowden and Sweet.) 

AXXA 
The ayes have it. 



30 OPEN LOVE 

Family ties. We can't treat ours like ani- 
mals, if we did then we would not be rulii^g' the 
world. 

RALPH SWEET (risinr/) 
You won't do it .ycu can't I won't let you 
do it to my daughter. I'll stop her. 

DERRICK 
You can't. She is her own master, she is a 
•unit, you are one. Xeither mean anything to 
each other. 

RALPH SWEET 

('sits doivn resting his head on his hand) 

AXNA 

They were coming here after meeting 
some of the delegates. They should be here any 
minute. 

BECIOIAN 
Then its settled; two ch"ldren for $20,000. 

MARIE 
I would do it cheaper than that. 

AXXA 
Raise your hand when you wish to speak. 
Another thing, we must not let tlie people alone, 
^4iy they are getting so they get married, and 
w^ork together not like husband and wife, but 
like friend with friend- 



OPEN LOVE ^1 



LOWDEN 
Yes a woman who stays home and cooks as 
they used to, is looked upon as a woman with- 
out a job. {Bell rings-) 

That must be them. I declare the meeting, 
over. 

(Mr. Wilke, a fine young chap enters with 
Mary Siveet, Mary a.young woman who has been 
brought up by her father in these surroundings. 
Kerl takes the hats and coats and exits.) 

A^'^s^A 

Welcome to the meeting. 

WILKE 

Greetings. It was as we thought the first 
editions simply laughed at us. 

MARY 
And they do it on the last page, that's why 
it's so mean 

WILKE 
I've found out to-day its better to be 
ridiculed big than to be so small a joke, its not 
considered important enough to bother with. 

AN^A 
Sit down. (They both sit, one on each side 
of her, the rest look on) Xow,I've a proposition 
to make you two. 



29 OPEN LOVE 



MAEY 

Tome? 

AXXA 

Yes. I need not loll you that both your 
speeches lacked somehing. Xow we have decided 
that to have a real representative he must be 
brought up slowly from birth. 

WTLKE 
Go on. 

AXXA 
We must be represented by a speaker who 
can thrill and bring home our truths. "We are 
all Avilling to sacrifice money, even the most 
precious thing, we can offer our time. 

MAEY 
Well, what are you going to do ? 

AXXA 
That is the thing. We have thought of many 
ways but have only found one way by which we 
ideally have a chance for success. But we must 
rely on both of you to help us. 

WILKE 

I'll do anvthing for our cause, you know 
that. 

MARY 
And you know that you can count on me- 



OPEN LOVE 33 



Good, that is what I wanied to hear. We 
have come to a decision that to get a represent- 
ative such as we want, he must come from talent 
ed parents, taen we will know we have some 
material to work on. 

DERRICK 
Like a race horse. 

AIS^A^A 
To come to the point, we want two children 
who we will raise and educate under our doe- 
trine, and who will be our guiding star. We will 
pay $20,000 — $10,000 to each of the partners. 
We consider you, Mary Sweet and Mr. Wilke sat- 
isfactory for the experiment. What do you say ? 

RALPH SWEET 
Don't do it, Mary, don't do it. 

MARY 

Please sii', remember, you are captain of 
your soul, 1 of mine. 

LOWDEX {going to window) 
Units, units. 

WILKE 
It's an easy $20,000. 

MARIE 
I should say so. 



34 OPEN LOVB 



MARY 
It would be doing my oliare, still somehow 
I juis!t hesitate. 

There is nothing much to think about unless 
the price is not satisfactory. 

MAEY 
IS^o, no, it's not the money. 

AXXA 

There's nothing wrong in it, you know that. 

IlXllV (slowly) 
Yes, I know that. 

AXXA 
Then there's nothing else. 

MAEY 

I know, president, but I must give it a 
thought. 

WILKE 

Could we jusit talk it over by ourselves 1 we 
won't be long. 

AXXA 

Very well, I don't see what there is to talk 
over. However we'll be downstairs, ring when 
you are done and hurry. (They all file out) 



OPEN LOVE 35 



RALPH SWEET 
Mary don't. Do you 'know what you are 
doing ? 

MAKY 
A\^iy yes, its what you yourself have preach- 



ed. 



RALPH SWEET 
I kriow, I know but 



AXXA (looking hack) 
Ml'. Sweet, come on. 

MARIE (turns in the door) 
I wouldn't niind hearing this private con- 
versation' but then you might think I was nosy. 
(She exits) 

(After they are all gone) 

WILKE (tunis to Mary) 

Strange world. My eyes are just opening. 

MARY 

I've ahvays preached free love and now that 
I have this chance, I'm afraid. 

WILKE 
There's nothing I can say, Mary. We had 
ideals, now in a minute tliey are shattered. I 
don't know why. I only joined this club because 



M 



OPEN LOVE 



it was different, but now, I see it is wrong. I was 
wrong. 

MAEY 
I know, to me man's marriage was sncli a 
farce, a license by some reclfaced politician, a 
minute of foolish reading, then you are man and 
wife. It seeniL^d ridiculous, but now it seems 
real to me. It makes all this sacred. Perhaps 
it is because I am b^i ng paid. Oh Herbert I 
can't do it. Why I would be no better than the 
lowest. 

WILKE 

Now that I too stand face to face with the 
facts, I weaken. Let us tear the shame of tliis 
club from our eyes. He holds her by the shoul- 
ders looking at her squarely ]\lary we will get 
.them children. We will take their money. 

MARY (drcnviug aivay) 

You're a man, the same eternal man, and 
Jlihough't you so different. 

WILKE 

Xo, Xo Mary, I love you, I knew I did when 
you madte your speech. When I heard your 
voice drop with fatigue I felt like carrying you 
away, anywhere, but away. Will you marry me? 



OPEN LOVE 37 



Do you really love me, — Herbert ? It 
isn't the money, and the excitement ? 

WILKE 

Xo, no, really Mary. I'll be so happy. Why 
we can settle clown somewhere in the country. 
I've always loved it so. 

MAEY 

It would be supreme, but the truth is, Her- 
bert, I want to be happy, to throw the hj^DOcrisy 
of this club off- You wouldn't after our mar- 
riage go back to its ideals! 

WILKE 

Xo, I pron*ise. We will give them the chil- 
dren, who we know they will treat well, and 
give a fine education. 

]\IARY 
To spread a doctrine we ourselves despise. 

WILKE 
The club will never last and we'll soon have 
them back with us. Lust forget all else only 
think of the happiness for us. We would have 
to slave for years to get so much money, and 
suffering does help to kill love, and I want mine 
to live. Come tell me that vou will marrv me. 



38 OPEN LOVE 



Do you know it will be breaking one of the 
club's istricte'st rules t Perhaps they will refuse 
to let us go through with it. 

WILKE 
Don't worry about that, just say you will 
become my wife. 

:\IARY 

Your wife. You know my head is going 
around. I've £^lways laughed at ithat word, but 
my head just swims when I say it. I see tlie 
clear sky and the air is light. And everything 
within me says, I love you. (He draws her to 
him and kisses her, then goes to the door, rings 
the bell.) 

WILKE 
We will call them back, get married to-day 
and leave town to-night. 

MARY 
Every part of me goes out to you. 

WILKE 

And I to you, its too wonderful. I forget 
everything else except that happiness is ours. 

{Ralph Siveet comes in and looks appealing- 
ly at Mary, ^Vilke iv'mk^ at Mary to teach him 
a lesson). 



OPEN LOVE 39 



EALPH SWEET 

Mary, I must speak to you. As a father I 
demand that you listen. 

MARY 

I have no ties, according to your own ideas. 
But what do you want? 

RALPH SWEET (turning to Wilke) 

Wilke as man to man I beg of you not to 
do this terrible thing. 

WILKE {winking at Mary) 

What thing. There is nothing wrong. 

RALPH SWEET 

There is. How dare you insult my 
daughter with such a proposition. 

He didn't insult me. The committee of 
which you are a member made the proposition. 

WILKE {assuming a false air-) • 

And a fair one I must confess. 

RALPH SWEET {pleading) 

Please sir I beg of you, for she's a good 
girl. : 



40 OPEN LOVE 



WILKE 

Of course she is, and always will be, simply 
because she wishes to follow her love instincts 
means nothing. 

MAKY 

Besides, the Constitution of the club says 
its all rigat- 

WILKE 
With you sir, the first signer. 

RALPH SWEET, {angry) 
I will have the law on you. 

MAEY 
I am of age, besides I will say it is not true. 
You can't kill ideals^ by force. 

WILKE 
"Take love where you find it," is your own 
motto. Simply because I fciund it in your 
daughter, you protest. I think it is a compli- 
ment that I help this club with my physical as 
well as my moral strength. 

EALPH SWEET 

Can't I change thiis ? 

:maey 

Impossible, father. You see its the way of 
a Populator {hoiving) of ^vhich my father is an 
honored committee man. 



OPEN LOVE 



41 



WILKE {sarcastic) 
What an lioiior. 

RALPH SWEET 
But no one will marry you after this affair, 

MARY 
What of it. We don't believe in marriage. 
How bored married couples will be after reading 
about us, and our cause- 

WILKE 
Then don't forget sir, unmarried lovers 
are always much happier because its a constant 
honeymoon, always the thought to i^lease to 
keep the other from going. 

]\IARY {teasing) 

Herbert won't stay out niglits, for fear he 
may not find me home. 

WILKE 
And Mary will always be attractive for fear 
of killing my illusions. 

RALPH SWEET 
Can't I show you the light? 

MARY 

You have, if married folks would only for- 
get that they were married. What a life. 



42 OPEN LOVE 



RALPH SWEET (giving up) 
You treat her right. 

WILKE 
Of course, I will. Remember I want to 
keep her. (All the memhers file in and take 
their places around 'the table.) 

AXXA (after a pause) 
Well, have you made up your minds! 

MARY 
Yes. 

WILKE 
We accept your proposition. 

AXXA 

Ah. Good. I knew you would see through 
that old fashioned cheap sentiment- 

RALPH SWEET 
Mary, no you can't do it. 
MARY 
Why not? Are you one that would expect 
others to do what you would not allow your 
self or yours to do ? 

RALPH SWEET 
I know, I know all these ideals are high till 
they hit your own- I admit I am wrong, please 
don't do it. 



OPEN LOVE 43 



WILKE 
We are going through with it. 

LOWDEN" 
My dear Sweet, remember what you said 
to me less tlian a half hour ago in this very 
room. It ought to comfort you. 

Sweet, you are a diisgrace to yourself. Such 
an exhibition only the vreak minded give. 

EALPH SWEET 
Call me anything, only don't degrade her. 

MAEY 
There is no use at all, so please be quiet. 
(lie goes in a corner and sits) 

WILKE 
We want the money first. Cash. 

I can only give you part in cash, the rest 
hi check. Is that all rights 

WILKE 
Providing you write a note with the check, 
promising, not to stop it. 

AI^^^A 

That 'Is a rather odd request. 



44 OPEN LOVE 



MAEY 

The whole thing is a rather odd request. 

AXXA (luriting) 
Very well. Here's the check $8,000 to each 
(takes money) we knew you would come 
to our way, so I took this from the safe. You 
see we had faith in your brains. Here's the 
money. (Both take their money and checks.) 

WILKE 

Now, the note please (He dictates) 
I promise in the name of the organization 
not to stop my checks to Herbert Wilke and Mary 
Sweet of the 11th of January. Sign. 

A!N"NA (signs) 
Here you are- 

WILKE 



MARY 



Thank you. 

Thank you. 

WILKE 

Well, we're off- Be prepared for the two 
little geniuses. 

MARIE 
Good luck. You know I was wishing she 
would refuse and give me a chance. 



OPEN LOVE 45 



WILIvE {turns in the door) 

Oh, by the way, it may suiT»ri?e or madd.-n 
or any damn thing you call it, that we are 
going to be married. {Theij run off^ 

ANNA {goes to door) 
How dare they. I'll stop them. T can't 

LOWDEX 
You can't. They tricked you. 

EALPH SWEET 

I'm a father. My daughter will be a mo- 
ther, to hell with you units- I'm going to send 
my child a wedding present. 



OPEN LOVE 



PAKT THREE 

Twenty years have passed, with cheers 
hopes and failures, inchiding a never ending 
movement of the Populator's Chib. — The Po- 
pulators have worked hard. — A year after 
Wiilke and Mary's marriage came a boy, — 
Wallow by name, later came a girl named 
Mar\\ — 

Both have been raised carefully and show 
great promise. 

We find Wallow a man and hisi sistter rapid- 
ly acquiring womanhood. Derrick the poet is 
gi\'ing Wallow a lesson. 

DERRICK 
Now let me hear you, Wallow. ; 

WALLOW 
]VIan's ridiculous laws are a disgrace to 
God'is creed. The good has been rotted with 
hypocrisy, and the bad placed on a pedestal. 
]^o longer do we stand by the old fashioned 
ideassi of our fathers, but on the feat of a new 
and greater movement, The Populators. 



OPEN LOVE 4Y 



DERRICK 

As you speak, I see your father's strong 
punches and your mother's speaking power- 

WALLOW (coming down) 

Xow look here. I want to know something 
about them, I am going to be 20 years old soon 
and I never go out to meet people. Wnyf 

DERRICK 

You must be patient- my boy, Rome was- 
not built in a day. You are to be a guiding 
light in this world- When you face it, you will 
shine around it, not flicker and flutter and 
then die out. 

WALLOW r 

Yet I know I am not living a normal life- 

DERRICK 

Come, come be patient. It is all that I ask, 
for your father's and mother's sake, if not * 
for ours- 

WALLOW 
I guess you are right. The world is a bad 
place, no love t'lat is, free love. The rich take 
it from the poor, the strong from the weak- 
Tell me Derrick, what is marriage ? 



.48 OPEN LOVE 



DERRICK 

Outside, if yen love a girl and wanted to live 
with her' you wouild have to get a license. 

WALLOW 
A license? 

DERRICK 

Yes, a permit. Then a priest or an official 
reads a few lines, and you are respectable, 
• and society is satisfied. 

WALLOW 

I'm not going through that manoeuvre If 
■1 love a girl, and she loves me, before God, 
■she is mine- 

DERRICK 

But not before man. Mian says you should 
marry to please God- 

WALLOW 

But a politician or a grafter is not God's 
representative. Suppose you defy them, as we 
all are trying to do- 

DERRICK 

Well, if the girl is pretty; she will be sneered 
at by the women, admired by the men; if 



OPEN LOVE 49 

she is homely she will be admired by the women 
and shunned by tlie men. 

WALLOW 

And the man? 

DERRICK 

Oh he'll be honored. The men will clap 
him on the baick and with a sly wink say 
"Some boy" and the women will say "ho is 
fascinating"- 

WALLOW 
Wh}^ is this? Why are they not both dis- 
graced or glorified? 

DERRICK 
Because they are children. The whole 
world is a ship on the sea of immorality with 
every passenger hoping it will be wrecked. 

WALLOW - 
Then planking our free love ideas ought 
to be simple- 

DERRICK 
^0, because the passengers prefer to take 
a duck in the sea and climb back on the boat- 

WALLOW 
Some day perhaps that ship will be aban- 
doned- {Anna comes in with May Sweet. May 



50 OPEN LOVE 



is Walloiv's sisien the other child given by 
Wilke and Mary.) 

There you are. (To Derrick) Well, how is 
Wallow? 

WALLOW 

Fine- (Then to sister) Sister, how are you? 

MAY 
I'm sick of it all- She tells me that I can 
only have one child and the rest I must give 
to the government, but I w^on't- 

WALLOW 
But you must. It is right- 

MAY 
I won't- What do you know about children 1 

DERRICK (coming down) 
Please, please* where are the children- May 
(has not found her mate and before she does, 
she's going to be a great lecturer- 

^'AY 
Xo, I haven't fcu:jd him, but when I do, I'll 
make him marry me or he can't have me- 

WALLOW (to his sister) 
Don't you know that marriage is only a 
fraud? What is there in marriage to protect, 



OPEN LOVE ^l 



anvtliing? Xow if a man loves a g'ii'l, that is a 
real man ilie protects and cherislies her jiist 
as tenderly without a license as he would with 
one. If a man is unprincipled do you think a 
license would make him any better. No, its 
the man not the license that counts. 

MAY 

WalloW' that's true, but you don't under- 
stand- I can't say what it is because I don't 
know. My isoul can tell you if not my words. 
It's like a bright light longing for siometjing 
to keep the eternal aglow and when I think of 
keeping tliat light) aglow*, without proftecting 
it from the wind, that light goes low, only a 
woman can understand ithat. 

I'm a woman, but I don't understand that 
talk. Your father and mother got you to talk 
for us and not against us. 

DERRICK 

We sacrificed twenty years of our lives, 
planning, figiiting, hoping. Don't go back on 
us- Its for the Populators. 

WALLOW 
I'm with you. 



52 OPEN LOVE 



MAY 

And I for honorable motherhood- (Ma>'ie 
the old ))iaid enters. She has aged hut is still 
pert as. ever) 

^lARIE 
Here you are, talking' as usual. Well May, 
how are you? 

MAY 
Very dowai-liearted. I feel like running 
away from it all. 

AXXA {ivho lias heard, turns) 
Silence. 

MAEIE 
Oh, Love I suppose- When this club was 
it its prime, I had so many suitors- (Lowden 
enters^ stands in the door listening*) 

AXXA 

Thats not true- She was as homely as she 
is now, she only joined this club as an excuse 
to cover her sins. 

^lARIE 

My dear Miss President, you wrong me, 
My father — 

AXXA {interrupting her) t 

We don't talk about parents here- 



OPEN LOVE 53 



LOWDEX (coming center) 
But we will- 

DERRICK ' 

What do you mean! 

LOWDEN 

What I said- Here we represent the 30O 
supporters- We have been losing rapidly. Our 
party is at its crisis- Shall I tell you why? 

DERRICK 

Xo, not before them. 

LOWDEX 

Yes, before them because we are wrong' 
All wrong. We're fighting something; we don't 
know what- We're fighting the impossible- Its 
been one jumble all of it. Open love, and sup- 
pose we did have our way. ]\Iurder, war, no 
home, no family ties, nothing in life worth 
while. Everything unbearable . 

AXXA 

I'm surprised- 

DERRICK 
What has come over you? 

; LOWDEX 

The truth. 



54 OPEN LOVE 



MAY (to Lowdon) 
And I am with you- 

DERRICK 

You are ours. Your parents signed you to 
us- You and Wallow. 

LOWDEIs^ 
Another terrible thing- 

a:n^n^a 

Give us the one chance we waited for so 
long. 

LOWDEA^ 
What chance? 

DERRICK 

Wallow and M,^y will get their chance to 
expreiss our viewsi; our hopes. Wallow can and 
"will convince them. He will speak next month. 

LOWDEN {turning to May) 
And you May? 

I shall not speak- Why the verj" plan is so 
ridiculous. There is not one a,im' one point 
that you or your party can really call sane- 



OPEN LOVE 55. 



As president of the parity, I say there 
is- 

MAY 

What is it? 

DERRICK 
The right of man to go through the world 
grasping love where he can find it. 

MAY 
They have that on the outer world- Only 
proper law to prote<:t women from triflers. 

DERRICK 

But suppose one finds he has chosen a 
wrong mate- 

MAY 
He gets a divorce. 

DERRICK 
I can see that point, but one child to a fa- 
mily, the other to be tfaken away, so he will 
not feel the pain at a dear one's death- 

MAY 

Tal^e the child away from its parents' he 

will have friends. Every^body has so much love 

to give, it may be for art, or even fads' but when 

that is gone, what then? An artist is just ais 



66 OPEN LOVE 



grieved over a picture lie loves, if stolen, as a 
mother, when her babe is lost, for both are 
cliildren of the brain. 

DERRICK {puzzled) 
Well, well, I believe in open love. 

MAY 
When you have a treasure, do you not pro- 
tect it? You put your gold behind iron bars, 
but your love you want open to be taken by 
him who dares. 

LOWDEi^ 
BravO' bravo. You are a genius- 

WALLOW 
I shall speak- 

MAY 
And were you not my brother. I would speak 
against you. 

DERRICK {pleading) 
Please don't do that- You would ruin uS. 

LOWDEN 
Very well, I've made up my mind. I shall 
stay until after the speech- 

MAY 

Wallow, you are doomed to failure. You 
have the book knowledge, but you are hoUoW' 
your body matter is developed over the brain 
matter- 



OPEN LOVE 5Y 



MARIE 

That is all Greek to me. Excuse mo but I'm- 
going- {Goe\s to door, left) Miss May, I won't 
debate, but you're wrong, (Exit-) 

I want to tell you Map you spetik to protect 
that which you don't knoAv- Go to tliose people- 
you think so much about, meet tliem, and you: 
will find after all we are right, 

MAY 

I don't believe it- I don't believe it. 

DERRICIv 

It is true- This is just a fad with you. It 
will pass, it will pass- 

:may 

Woman's love of honor, it will never pass- 
(Exit Dertick mid Anna) 

MAY (to Loiuden) 
Tell me, Lowden, were my parents married!' 

LOWDEN 

Yes- 

MAY 
I'm so srlad, I feared and feared- 



58 OPEN LOVE 



LOWDEN 

The night of tlie address I will teM you both 
•everything, the whole story. Will you wait and 
trust me? 

WALLOW 

Yes, you have been a true friend. (Enter 
Miriam Day) (Miriam is a siveet young girl of 
nineteen, dark, slender, with a syynpdthetic face 
that breathes siveet ness)- 

miria:\i] 

Excuse me. You know, May, I was reading 
in my room, and became so lonely that I went 
into the garden, yet I wasn't satisfied. 

MAY 

Beautiful things don't satisfy because after 
all they are only things. 

WALLOW 
How are you Miriam? I missed you to-day. 

]\riRIAM 
And I you. Why didn't you meet me in the 
;garden ? 

WALLOW 

I was very busy, but I'll make up for it later 
on 



OPEN LOVE 50^^ 



MIRIAMi 
Oh that's all rig'-it your work comes first- 

WALLOW 

Not before you. 

MAY 

He's an old flatterer, Miriam will yon 
ihelp me try on my new dress? I can't just get 
it as I wish it. It will take only a minute. Ex- 
cuse us iDlea'se. 

WALLOW 
Hease don't go. 

MIEIAMi 

I'll be right back. {The iivo girls exit' 
right) 

WALLOW 
Lowd'cn you are different from all of them^ 
You're kind and understand- 

LOWDEJ^ 
Wallow, I'm of the outer world. My person 
belongs to this club but my spirit has always 
rebelled against it- 

WALLOW 

\^^iy did you join this club? (Stops) Oh ex- 
cuse me, that is a rather personal question- 



GO OPEN LOVE 



LOWDEIs' 
I will tell you Tn a few words. My marriage 
was a failure. T was bound to a woman, a clrunk- 
•ard. I tried to divorce her, but the law forbade 
it as I had no real case. So the first thing that 
came along, I reached for, like a drowning 
man. It was free love- I thought it was to be the 
future blessing of the broad-minded man, but 
I siQon saw it w^as more narrow than the other, 
now you know. Xow you seel 

WALLOW 
I do and I am sorry. Is she still alive? 

lowde:^^ 

ISTo she is gone- I am free and thougli the 
law tied me down. I can't denounce it. Take 
Miriam for instance, she was like me. 

WALLOW 

Tell me about her- 

LOWDEy 
Wallow, I notice you are very interested. 

WALLOW 
She is kind and a real woman- 

LOWDE^ 
Yet she joined because society cut her, she 
was denounced. 



OPEN LOVE 61 



WALLOW 

Whyf 

LOWDEN 

That is all T know, my lad, but she is a good 
girl. I judge her by what I have iseen of her and 
;she is good. 

VrALLOW 

But if the world denounces such as you and 
Miriam without a fair trail, is it not in a fright- 
ful state? 

LOW DEN 
The world is all right and so are the people 
in it- It is just a mistake of using old ideas. 

WALLOW 
Old ideas? What do you mean? 

LOWDEX 

Moral ideas. Xow we would laugli if anyone 
■dressed as our forefathers did hundreds of 
years ago- We would say that is old fashioned, 
not for our time. We have advanced only in fhe 
material things such as dress, light and all mod- 
ern conveniences. But what about us morally, 
have we advanced? Xo, the people still s'tick t-o 
•old customs' old laws, that no more fit our times, 
than tae dresses of old- Why even old technical 
laws are in force- 



Q2 OPEX LOVE 



WALLOW 

Why is all this? Tell me Lowden, is man a 
failure? 

LOWDEX 

Xo one can tell, because we don't know what 
standard man is suppoised ^to reach. (Enter 
Miriam — center) 

MIRIAM ( comiiif/ down) 

Well here I am. I have kept my word. (She- 
stops, hesitates) I hope I did not intrude? 

LOWDEIv^ 

Tnat's all rjglit, child. I must be off 
I'm going to run down to f.ie city to-night. OK 
by the way, I want to si3e you before I go,. 
Wallow. (Exit — Center) 

MIRIAM 
He's a dear- 

WALLOW 

Lowden is a bright spot among all 
this darkness, Lowden and you. 

MIRIAM' 
Oh Wallow! 



OPEN LOVE (33 



WALLOW 

Don't you want me to speak like that to 
you? 

miria:m] 

I do. I want it more tilian anything in the 
world but there are things in one's life that 
prevent- 

WALLOW 

What can prevent me from speaking to 
you even loving you, except you don't care. 

MIRIA^IJ 
It''s not that Wallow, I do care- I do care. 

WALLOW 

I've spoken my thoughts. I've spoken what 
I meant to conceal. I wanted to wait until I was 
■sure of you. JSTow nothing can keep you fnm 
me. You are what you are. I am a free thinker 
and in love. 

MIRIAM 

You are right- There is nothing here to 
stop us. We are not out in the world- The w^orld 
of regrets but in our garden where we can 
love- 



64 OPEN LOVE 



WALLOW 
Lowdeii is wrong, he is wrong. (Kisses 
her) 

MIRIA:Nr. 
Yon love mo Wallow, really truly- 

WALLOW 
A^es, I've known it for days and days, but 
I was satisfied to remain silent to express my 
love to you by kindness- 

MIRIAM 
Wallow, Wallow, I do want you, but how 
can I be sure- 

WALLOW 
Sure of what dear! 

MIRIAM 

That it isn't just tihei fl|ame of youth, 
that will be quenc'.ied as quickly as it started- 

WALLOW 
How can I prove it. I would say marriage 
but it is against our belief. 

MIRIAM 
I know. But Wallow what do you know 
about me. Xothing. Are you going to take 
mi.- on trust? 



OPEN LOVE 65 



WALLOW 
What I liave seen in you is enough fi3r we. 

MIRIAM' 
Still in a love like ours there will be 
jealousy and you must be sure, so sure- 

( \\ alloiv embracing her) 

WALLOW" 
And I am. (Enter May) 

I^IAY 
Excuse me, I couldn't help but see- So you 
two are in love. I've seen it coming- I'm very 
glad for both of you. (She kisses Miriam) 

W^ ALLOW 
Yes, sis. and I think I'll hunt up Lowden. 
He's waiting for me and I have something im- 
jDortant to say to liim. 'Excuse me please. (Exits 
Center) 

MAY 
Well, when are you going to be engaged? 

MIRIAM 

Engaged, w'hy (she hesitates) We, we 
haven 't decided vet. _, , ' 1 

MAY '^"""^" ■■ 

Wallow, will make a good husband- Oh, I 
don't say this because he's my brother, but 



ft^e OPEN LOVE 



lie has fiiio qutulities in spite of his faults, 
vWhich are minor- 

MIRIA^i: 

Yes, he's a dear and I love him- I'll be so 
tproud to be his> (h.is.~^{Sdops) 

MAY 
His, you hesitate. Why ? It's no't as I sus- 
pected, these people and their doctrine. It's 
not possible- Tell me {holding her) Look at 
jrne squarely and repeat his, his. 

MI[RJiVAIi (breaking idown) 

JDon't, don't J can't say it, his mate. 1 

MAY 
Zl^o, his mistress. 

^ MIRIAM, (sits doum crying) 

-Don't say that word- Oh, how you hurt me. 

MAY (Slowly) 

I'm glad it hurts you. Very glad because 
'^t shows you are good and that this cursed club 
' has not got you- 

MIRIAM 

I do love him anjd I want to be his wife. 
-How I would love to be engaged- 



OPEN LOVE gf 



MAY 

Certainly all girls do. Some of them sever-^ 
al times at once. Now you leave it all to me. 

MIllIAlB 
Wallow will never consent. 

MAY 
We will make that dear brother of mine : 
wish he never belonged to this affair- 

MIRIA]\t 

How? 

MAY 

YouVe laug'h^ed at marn'ag^ like all of 
thera. Called it stupid, man-made. Yet when you: 
thought of having no real claim on the mam 
you love, you weaken, so it will be with Wallow^ 
you leave him to me- Tell me how did you ever 
come into this club and on the committee, so 
young? 

MIKIAM 

I was a victim of circumstances, the boss 
where I worked invited me to dinners- I re- 
fused many times, but he persisted. One day I 
went, I suppose I shouldn't have gone, but he- 
treated me with every respect. As the clock 
struck nine he jumped up and embraced me, 



(58 OPEN LOVE 



the door opened and there stood his Avife and 
two witnesses. It was a trap, you can imagine 
the rest, I was named the co-respondent. Big 
piibUcity about ihe vampire girl "^^dth the I'e- 
sult thait every time a young man became in- 
terested in me he was told by my dear friends 
this story. Kext day my lover was gone; so in 
a fit of anger hearing of this doctrine I joined 
the Poinilators and here I am, but I'm good and 
fit to be anyone's wife. Do you believe that? 

I do- I am sorry. Tt is a problem this funny 
old life. (Enter Walloiv) 

WALLOW 

' Well, Lowden is not going after all {He sees 
the girls spedhing.) Still talking girls? I do not 
LnoAV what women fi-nd so much to talk about. 

MAY 

Thait's a sex mystery. I don't see what you 
men find to brag about- 

WALLOW 
Ouch. That's a good one- 

J\IAT {whispers to Miriam) 

Leave me alone with dear little brother. 
{Miriam rises) 



OPEN LOVE 69' 



MIP.IAM 

You will excuse me, I must go to the meet- 
ing room, the comjiiittee is to have a secret 
session. (She exits) 

WALLOW 
Isn't she a dear girl- 

MAY 

Well, yes as far as girls go. Of course 
you're not going to marry her Wallow? 

WALLOW 

Xo, we both have the same ideals, that's 
why she is here. 

MAY 

I'm glad of that- It won't bind you. 

WALLOW 

Oh yes it will. Just the same as if we went 
through that legal hypocrisy- 

MAY 

Legal hypocrisy, you call it. But it does 
protect both parties now doesn't it? 

WALLOW 
In what way ? 



Yo opp:n love 



MAY 
Well, atg your wife, no man would dare tonc$x 



her. 

Well. No. 



WALLOW 



> 



MAY 

Where the other way, no man need be afraid^ 
you could hardly say much under Iho^ 
conditions. 

WALLOW 
But she would be mine. 

MAY 
By what right? 

WALLOW 

The right of - the right of (he stops pu^ad^ 
well, the right of might. 

MAi" 

The first big husky that comes alon<^ -caaa 
grab her becausie he can kno<?k your head off, 
and its tje same for the female for she i* 3iCii 
bound to any single man. A veiy bad ^Sai^ 
Every little quarrel ithat comes up, botfe^ -sf^ 
go their way or when she loises ibosQ 
rosy cheeks, or you should get sick, away ifce 



OPEN LOVE Yl 



offei^rgoes. It is their right under your law, but 
in yaar case I 'm glad. 

WALLOW 
Sis, Viere is a lot in what j^ou say, I never 
lodked at it in that light before, but "Why are 
yon so glad in my ease"? 

MAY 
Well, in a free love both parties have to be 
satisfied with — well, handled goods. 

WALLOW 
^ifay, I won't hear you speak like tJiat about 
tliG gixl I love. 

MAY 
Wiiat ajre you going to do about it? Close 
your ears to the truth. You are worldly. 

WALLOW 
SiS' Qu'st what do you meian by handled 



MAY 
T&d you ever go into that cheap department 
stare- ajcrdss the street from tlie big one ? When 
jon go in you will see the goods laying in the 
ep^iy. I^ot protected as they are in glass cases 
itt tLe big stores, to be shown only when 
some one is really interested to buy. Ever}- one 



72 OPEN LOVE 



that comes in the cheap store, looks the goods 
over, feels the material, some even try them 
on; then after the goods have been handled 
they become shabby and worn, the price is mark- 
ed down and called "Handled Goods." 

WALLOW 
You mean that Miriam has had an affair?' 

MAY 
Why not ? Only the outside world ^vould' 
accuse her, but as a Populator that does not 
matter. 

WALLOW 
But it does matter to me. Do you think I 
want my children. . . . 

MAY {contimiing his speech) 
Who by the w^ay wdll be-well you know what 
{She pauses) Besides brother dear, you are 
going to give your children over to the govern- 
ment to make a strong nation. 

WALLOW 
Yes, I know, but still, still I want her to be 
mine, mine alone. 

MAY 
^NTow see here Wallow, you can't do that 
with me. Yon mu&t be one way or the other. Ygtx 
can't take advantage of this club's liberal views 



OPEN LOVE H^ 



.and have outside views too. It must be all one 
^wa}', no half and half. 

WALLOW 

But she never told me. 

MAY 

Wallow you must decide now. If you are 
my way, the way of liionest people, you must 
leave her or forgive and marry. 

WALLOW 

I can't forgive, I can't. (Stops and thinks) 
Still you are right. She's simply done what I 
myself preached. I see it all now. Good God, 
and I tried to drive you to this, I was mad. 

MAY 

You was, brother. 

WALLOW 
(goes down on Ids knees before his sister) 
Forgive me, sister dear, for nearly driving 
you' my own, to that terrible break, what a cad 
I am. 

MAY (helping him up) 
JSTo Wallow dear, if you raise a man on 
a desert island and tell him right is wrong, 
wron^ will be right to him. and he is correct as 
you are taught so you will teach. 



74 OPEN LOVE 



WALLOW 
Still you were taughit the same things^ and 
yet you rose above tJiem. 

MAY 

I have the advantage of being a woman 
and have a woman's instinct. Will you for^^sre^ 
her? 

WALLOW 
All my hope and the pride that love brio^ 
is lost, still I must think. 

MAY 
The natural man instinct is bitter 
toward this I know. Wallow you are jast 
ordinary, yoti can't rise above them. 

WALLOW 

I'm ftrying I'm trying, but I'm afraid I 

can'tk {h\nter Murie, SuJeet, Lowdmi' Hidiiz^ 
Derrick, Anna, Miriam. As they eider ihey 
solemnly take their places. After they are ail 
seated, Anna rises.) 

A^KA 

Wallow, we have just come frci23 the 
meeting room where we came to a final 
decision. We have waited 20 years for this 
day. The day we would think you capaMe of 



OPEN LOVE 75 



s«^r€«jei)tiiig us. We have groun old, time has 
«Ki crael and yet kind. For we who started 
experiment are all together except brother 
iiiiaii who passed away not fearing deatii, 
B^dv praying thai he inigM see the end of 
fiiH. experiment. An experiment that cannot be 
fruTried by money or labor. We feel we have 
fceen f ortimate in having you and your sister. 
YmEt sister revolts, and will not speak. We 
j^I^e^ OUT faith in your hands. What have you 

WALLOW {nsing and addressing ihem) 

My sister and I were placed amongst you, 
lECS^fcv our own will but by our parents. It is for 
^.eEa that I remain true. 

LOWDEI^ 
Wallow, what has come over you 1 

MAY 
Just the truth. My sister saved hirself 
figrliting all of you. I will speak with my best 
knowledge for your club, not because of the 
mo-ney spent, but for the time and my parents, 
whs.mi the world treated cruelly. 

MARIE (pleadingly) 
Don't fail us Wallow^ I can't wait for 
.aifiEifcher child. 



7G OPEN LOVE 



AXIsTA (pounding on the table) 
Silence. It is too bad that you feel like 
that. After you think carefull}^^ you "will 
continue with our ideals. I understand you're 
in love with i\liriam. She is yours and I hope 
that love will express itself and help your voice- 
to ring with true vim. 

WALLOW 

I won't take her until I have thought 
it all over. I will forgive Miriam, but it will 
take time. 

MIEIAM {to him) 
Wallow, forgive, forgive what! 

WALLOW 

It's not your fault. It was onlj" as I 
myself preached, and I wanted to inflict on May. 

MIRIAM 

May has told you ? 

WALLOW 
Yes everything. 

MIRIAM 

And you like all the others outside, con- 
demn me and I thought you so different^ 
but vou are all alike- 



OPEN LOVE 



77 



iWALLO!\V {slowly) 

I am. Oh I'll try to live it down, but its so 
hard. 

MAY 
One moment, I tlliink I can explain . 
Miriam you left your case in my hands. 1 tokl 
Waaiow you've had an affair befoire. not the 
other (luminfj to Wallow) Wallow, everything: 
I told yon is a lie. She's a clean, fine girl, one 
of the best. 

WALLOW 
But Sis, w^hy, why did you lie? 

MAY 
To open your eyes that words are simply 
shells and break unless filled with d'eeds,„ 
Miriam loves you and she's a true wa'maii, 
you know what I mean. 

WALLOW {to Miriam) 

Miriam can you ever forgive me? 

MTIUAM 

For being a real man ? I sliould say I can. 
I want yoii to be just a little jealous of me. 



78 OPEN LOVE 



WALLOW 

Miriam, Miriam. What has been removed. 
.' Sister is right. (Embraced) ('rums to all) Mi- ' 
-riam is going to be my wife. 

ANNA 

You know the ruleB we have here. I 
'."forbid your marriage. 

WALLOW 

All right, if you forbid it, 111 do it anyway. 
II '11 speak on one condition. 

ANNA 
What do you mean? 

WALLOW 

Simply this, I make the speecii omitting 
the free love, and I must be allowed to marry 
Miriam. 

MARIE 
Like father* like son, like mother like 
'daughter. 

ANNA 
Silence, we won't allow it, you are onrs. 



OPEN LOVE Y&' 



WALLOW 

Very well, you defy me. I, defy you I 
won't speak arid you can wait another 20- 
years for another kid. and by that time you'll 
all be with the devil who won't need you to 
convince hin\ (AniHa pounding with the . 
gavel) 

Silence. 

WALLOW 

Silence very well, is that your decision i 
Shall T be silent or shall I speak and marry. 
^Miriam ? 

LOAVDEX (to Anna) 
You must give in to him. 

^lARIE 

Hurry, hurry, I'm getting older every 
minute. 

ANNA {speaks after a pause) 

You shall speak. 

WALLOW 

Very well, come Miriam and Sis- we've got: 
a lot to do. {Exit Miriam May and Wallow) 



so OPEN LOVE 



What do 3'ou tiiiiik : i" tliat"? 

LOWDEIs' 
When will we artists stop making 'the 
"terrible mistake of not studying human nature. 

ANNA 
But we figured everrthingv We thought 
-of all the little things that would bring them 
to our views, we overlooked notliing. 

LOWDEiV 

We -overlooked nothing that is true, but 
as all people do, we forget the greatest of the 
great. We forget to count on stupid love. 



OPEN LOVE 81 



PARTFOUR 

The big table is all set ready for the 
wedding feast. Marie is fixing the last of the 
things when Lowden enters with a big bowl of 
of punch. 

LOWDEN 
There, I guess the wedding feast is all 
complete. Have you got the crackers ? 

MARIE 

They're here. 

LOWDEX 
This is not devoid of humor. Here I am 
secretary of the free love advocates, prepar- 
ing a wedding dinner. 

MAIHE 
I always liked weddings. They're so ro- 
mantic and spiritual. 

LOWDEN 
Spiritual, ha, you haven't seen many 
weddings. A,s much as I believe in marriage I 
must confess the average wedding is a farce. 

MARIE 

In what wav.f 



82 OPEN LOVE 



LOWDEN 

Every way, the man looks as if be was 
being led to the grave. Man is never so awk- 
ward aswhen he's being married. He may have 
been the worst bounder, but he leads the sweet 
tiling up to the alter with the grace of a saint. 
And she looks like an "angel as pure 
as the day she was bom, at any rate we'll 
;say 99 percent. Then comes the wailing of her 
people who thank God she has hooked some- 
body before they were bankrupt. Its all a set 
thing like a theatrical performance, even the 
rehearsals. 

MARIE 
Think of the romantic wedding night? 

LOWDEX 
And the awful morning sights. 

M.VRIE 
You men you have nc:t enough imagination, 

LOWDEN 
Perhaps that is why the women are wearing 
less. 

{Enter D&nick and Sweet). 

DERRICK 

This is a new one on us. 



OPEN LOVE 33 



RALPH SWEET 

Don't you think we sthould tell Wallow 
I'm his grandfather. 

LOWDEN" 

I will tell hini the night of his speech, they 
have promised to wait. 

DEIIRICK 
If we had many more of your family here 
the club would be mined. 

LOWDExNT 

Yes your family shows a disgracing amount 
of respectability. They all want to get 
married. 

RALPH SWEET 
But I even the scale. 

LOWDEIST 

I'll never forget 20 years ago when WiLke 
said tiliey were going to get married. How 
happy you were, yo^u rushed out — we thought 
tJie club would see you no more, but in a 
week you were back. 

DERRICK 

Sweet doesn't care who sits on the tack 
as long as its not in hisi chair. 



84 OPEN LOVE 



KALPH SWEET 
Well, aftc-r tliey were married they shipped 
off, where was I to go, all my friends were 
here so I came back. 

LOW HEX 

Fumiy they never wrote where they were. 
One day Wallow was delivered to ns, and t^ien 
May. But that's all. 

RALPH SWEET 
It nearly broke my heart wdien I didn't 
hear from them, but I think they heard I had 
gone back to the club and sort of disowned 
me. 

MARIE 
Did Wallow say where they were going to 
spend their honeymoon? Niagara Falls, I 
suppose. 

LOWDEN 

I hope not, why after you've seen the Falls 
and the Rapids there's no place to go. At nine 
o'clock the town is dead, you might as well go 
to bed. 

DERRICK 
Now for the first time I understand why 
couples go to Niagara FaUs. 



OPEN LOVE f 85 



You Italians are always looking at things 
in a double Avay.. 

DERRICK 

And why not, is not love double ? 

RALPH SWEET 
You have a wir. 

LOWDEIS^ 
A very beautiful conversation for wedding 
guests. 

{Enter Walloiv) 

WALLOW 
I've come to ask you as ladies and gentle- 
men to please go through this ceremony with 
/respect even if you have to act, for Miriam if 
not for me. 

LOWDEX 
You can trust us we are gentlemen at any 
rate. 

MARIE 
Simply because w^e chose to think our way 
it doesn't say we can't act correctly. 

RALPH SWEET 
Wallow, my boy, I wish you the best of luck. 



86 



OPEN LOVE 



WALLOW 

ThaiLk you, when the Alderman comes will 
you receive him? 

LOWDEISr 
Certainly. 

MARIE {As Wallow moves toward door.) 
You 'have my best washes. 

Wi^LLOW 

Thanki^. 

MARIE 
Even if you are disgracing us. 

DERRICK 

i\ly friend, Women are like a stage, only 
beautiful when dressed by sicenery, but when 
that is gone and only the bare walls remain, 
then your iUusionis go. Dear man, you'll cry 
curtain. 

WALLOW 

But the memory of the &et that was once 
there, will never go. 

LOW I) EN 
Come, come Derrick, none of your satire 
today. 



OPEN LOVE ^Jf- 



WALLOW 

And you call yo>arselves artist's. Why- 
your pictures have no souls, only cheap senti- 
ment. 

DERRICK 

That is the public's fault' not mine. I 
paint a beautiful picture of a young girl, she 
stands like this, nude, looking out to &ea. I 
called it ''Love waiting for her mate." You 
think I sell. — No, no. One man he offer me 
$25. What I do, I paint on her what you call 
a little shimmy> and call it "I say she does'* 
and I must call the police to handle the custom- 
ers. It is not us artists that are wicked, it 
is the public. 

WALLOW 
I suppose you're right. 
(Enter May) 

MAY 

You can go to ]\liriam, Wallow, she is aH 
ready. I'll tend to the things here. 

(Walloiv exits) 

LOWDEN 
Well May, I honor you. 



gg OPEN' LOVB 



MAY 

Thanks. Come now, make believe you're 
happy even if you're not. 

MARIE 
Xot possible. 

DERRICK 
I have an idea. Lets make believe thc're 
not married. 

LOWDEN 
If more couples did that there 'd be less 
divorces. 

(Enter Anna, May and Mr. Roystead.) 

ANNA — :may 

In this room, Mr. Roystead. Gentlemen 
this is our Alderman who is going co perform 
the services. 

LOWDEN 
Make yourself comfortable some where. 

ROYSTEAD 
This seems a rather odd place for a wed- 
ding; what's the matter someone lose a bet. 

MAY 
Xo beta lost, why to listen to you Mr. 
Alderman one would think you opposed it. 



OPEN LOVE 



89 



EOYSTEAD 
Sure I do. I've been married 12 vears mv- 
self. _ ' . 

A"NATA 

See. 

MAY 

Then you think that couples should not 
get married. 

KOYiSTEAD {drmUng) 
I wouldli't say that, bufe every marriage 
should have eveiry other year to rest up in. 
Some satire, eh. 

ANNA {io May) 
Nice man to perform your sacred duty. 

MAY 
Its the duty not who or under what condi 
tions it is performed. 

EOYSTEAD 

This is excellent wine. 

DERRKlv 
Have another. 

EOYSTEAD 
Thanks, I will. I've had two or three 
before I got here. 



30 OPEN LOVE 



LOWDEN 



So I stee. 



EOYSTExVD 
AVheiieA^er I marry a couple I think of tlie 
first pair I married. 1 clidn't kjiow how to do 
it, «o 1 simply muinbled and bluffed my way 
out, then I found out I had manned them two 
days before my term began so the poor tilings 
weren't married at all. {they all laugh except 
May and Lotvdeji.) 

Yes, they were' hecause they both were 
tlcan. If they were fooled by law's careless- 
fiCKS, it'S' not iheir fault. 

AKNA 
There, ray dear, but I bet if this story was 
told in their neighborhood they would be gos- 
siped out of it. 

MAY 

For a thing, for which they were not to 
Blame ? 

ANNA 
Yes, my dear. 

ROYSTEAD 
Yesterday I married a couple, an old man 
®f 70 to a young girl of 21. 



OPEN LOVE 



n 



LOWDEN" 
A moaiey marriage? 

EOYSTEAD 
Yes. TJie oM man said- "'where will we 
spend our wedding nigbt in l^ew York or 
Atlantic City?" Then the girl said, '^I rather 
stay in ISTew York, all girls are timid their first 
night married" but T assured her she had noth- 
ing to fear, (fhei/ all laugh) (Enter Wallow and 
May) 

LOWDEN" 

(begins singing the wedding song they all take 

up cups and drink) 

WALLOW 
We are ready. 

ROYSTEAD 
All right. Ready. I'll read the sentence. 



92 OrEN LOVE 



PART FIVE 

(Marie and Lotvden are discovered. Loivden 
at Ills desk, Marie at the window, she turns to 
him.) 

MARIE 

I'm all npset. This is fhe day, after waiting 
so long. 

LOWDEX 

Yes. It's just like 20 years ago, p^'^rything 
the same. 

^lARIE 
I hope our success will be different. 

LOWDEN 

I said then we would not have success, but 
now I think differently. Wallow is so smart, 
there have been timeis when he thrilled me so, 
J think he will startle the audience. 

MARIE 

If he fails this time, I may leave this club» 
I came here because I was an old maid. I 
thought I would have more chance wita men 
in a club with such liberal views, but I see all 



OPEN LOVE 93 



men are the same when it comes toward picking 
some fluffy haired baby face. 

Of course they are the same, because they 
^ro built alike. Now to begin with, you talk 
too much, men like girLs that don't talk so much, 
just listen to the other fellow. Remember he's 
got a mouth. Then fix your hair nicely, drape 
your body so it will show your form, if you 
have any. 

MARIE 

Mr. Lowden, you make me blush. 

LOWDEN^ 

So 3'ou even are shocked in an unfeminine 
way. Xow to appeal to men you should have said 
in a cute way ''Y^ou mustn't talk like that I 
won't hear another woi^d" then sit down with 
open ears to hear some more. 

MARIE 

You've spoken pretty plainly to me 
Lowden. 

LOWDEN 

That is my right as a Populator. 



94 OPEN LOVE 



MARIE 

Very well, I've made up my mind, I'm 
going to try your way even if I get ruined 
doing it; 

LOW DEN 

You're getting toi that age when you need 
to be ruined or something to make people notice 
you, 

MAKIE 

]\fr. Lowden you mustn't say such things 
(she sits) but to continue the conversation. 

LOWDEN 

Bravo, bravo, now you're getting all right. 
You know, Marie after all, you and I have not 
lived. I'm jealous. 

MARIE 

Of whom? 

LOWDEN 

Young Wallow, don't misunderstand me. 
I'm not jealous of him personally, he's a fine 
lad, but of what my youth missed. 

MARIE 
What was that? 



OPEN LOVE 95 



LOWDEN 

Love, and you too have missed it. You 
should have taken one of your three, but you 
«ast it aside and now you are i)aying. Why did 
you kill Jove I 

MARIE 

Lowden you ask me Kie nearest question to 
my heasrt. I seem fcfolish, thoughtless, I am, 
but I h^ive thought and thought and when I'm 
alone I have crield. I have found some satisfac- 
tion in this club but not enough, 

LOWDEN 

We are the last of the race that killed 
ideals and true life, but youth won't be denied 
and love triumphs in the end. 

MARIE 

They say Oupid never dies, onlj^ waits, waits 
and then when you think j^ou have gone too 
far to *have him near you, he ishoots his arrow 
and you, like all the rest, surrender, just to 
get in the enemy's camp. 

LOWDEN 

A camp I used to say was surrounded by 
barb wire troubles, in which once you get in 
you never get out. Now all my friends are in, 



9(3 OPEN LOVE 



I feel lost, but I think we have traveled too 
far the road of life for Cupid to bother with us. 
There are plenty of bright young folks for him 
to capture. {Enter ^yaUolv) 

WALLOW • 
Hello everybody- well ito-day is the day. 

MAHIE 

Wallow, I wiish you luck, I hope you make 
a good speech, a personal succe&s as a speech 
maker, the rest, well let that go its course. I'll 
see you later. 'Excuse me. (Exits) 

WALLOW 
Well, she's as enthusiastic as a drunkard 
at a prohibition meeting. 

LOWDEX 
How long are you going to speak? 

WALLOW 

I haven't figured it all out yet, but I think 
it will be about an hour. My wife is more 
excited than I. 

LOWDEN 

Do you like married life? 



OPEN LOVE 97 



WALLOW 

Well, its only boen two months but its great. 
I'm so proud to say '"my wife". It gives me a 
sense of ownership. My wife — sometimes I 
keep saying it to myself, you know it makes me 
feel big. 

LOWDElvT 
I remember one time when you thought 
different about marriage. 

WALLOW 
That's true, but I found out, thanks to my 
sister, that I had been mislead with empty, words. 
Words are great things but people can't live 
on or in them, 

LOWDEN 
And your speech, is your heart and soul 
in it? 

WALLOW 
It is, all but for that free lo^^«^ -stuff. That's 
out — its all iiollow nonsense. 

LOWDEN 

Suppose the rest was hollow nonsense, the 
war part, the children to government part, the 
whole thing, suppose it was just an empty idea 
of a disappointed people. 



98 . OPEN LOVB 



WALLOW 

Lowden, I don't understand, you or in fact 
any of you. 

LOWDEN 
Perhaps, not, but as for mysielif, I would 
not be here only for a disappointment. I 
joined this club like a man who has been turned 
down by a girl; joins a bachelor's club' swear- 
ing hatred for the whole sex. He keeps 
others away from tr>'ing to get what he sought 
and failed, its a lot like sour grapes. {Enter 
Miriam and May) 

WALLOW 
Hello, wife dear (kisses her) and sis. 

MIRIAM 
'Now make a nice speech for my sake. 

; WALLOW 

.' Tor your sake or the cause's sake? 

^lAY 
We want you to make good, because of 
you, but not so much for the cause. 

WALLOW 
Like an actor, who the first night tries to 
£Core a personal success, even if he ruins the 
play. 



OPEN LOVE 99 



MIKIAM 

But if its a bad play I 

LOWDEI^ 
Do you think its a bad cause ? 

WALLOW 

What, another one ? say this is going to be 
a joke on me. I'm talking for a club that will 
be memberless. 

MAY 

Those old thick headed ones will never quit^ 

WALLOW 
' Well, I'm in a nice position, a sort of lead- 
er who can't tuni b^ck because his men are 
pressing too close behind him. {Enter Anna and 
Sweet.) 

EALPH SWEET 
Wallow make good. I w^ant to see you dO' 
it because I am your {pauses) 

Al^isiA 

Silence, remember there are no ties here. 

WALLOW 
j\ry what. I want to know. 



100 



OPEN LOVE 



ANNA 
I forbid it. 

WALLOW 
Very well, I must know everything. Now I 
can't and won't speak for you, unless I'm in 
your confidence. 

ANNA 
He is your mother's father. 

MAY 
Our grandfather. (She kisses him) 

ANNA 
None of that; what difference does that 
make. I could say Lowden was your grand- 
father, you'd not know the difference. 

RALPH SWEET 
i3ut I've known it all along and I'm proud 
of it, even though I am violating one of the 
club's rules. 

WALLOW 
We both have the same blood in our veins, 
Ihat's tilie difference. 

ANNA 

Wallow got ready. Sweet you and Lowden 
will stay behind and arrange for our committee 
meeting right after his speech. 



OPEN LOVE jQj 



LOWDE]^ 
Just as we did twenty years ago. 

ANNA 
Miriam and May, if you intend coming 
along, hurry, {the girls exit with Anna and 
Sweet) 

LOWDEN 
I can't claim any relationsMp but I'm your 
friend- I'm glad that I'm not going. 

WALLOW ' 
Why Lowden ? . " . 

LOWDEN 

Beoause I don't want to see you fail, yet I 
don't want the seed sown farther. Good luck, 
anyway. 

WALLOW 
Thanks. See you after its over, {exit — En 
ter Marie looking fine. 

l^IAEIE 
Have they gone? 

LOWDEN 
Tliey just left. You'll have to get another 
cab. I'll call it. 



102 OPEN LCVE 



JVIARIE 
JSTever mind. 

LOWDEN 
Whai a difference — you really look fine- 

MARIE 
Yes, I have changed outwardly some, but 
inwardly I'm completely remodeled. 

LOWDEN 

That is the moist important. 1 think that 
man'is outward appearance is like a store that 
has a fine show window. It attracts but the 
inside must live up to the outside, or it is a 
failure. 

MARIE 

I have acted now that I look back upon it 
all, like a fool, it was only hollow foolish 
ness to keep myself from thinking of what J 
might have had. 

LOWDEN 

I might have had, too. After alt, Marie we 
oursielves were to blame, not the world. It was 
there. If we chose the path that lead to the 
desert instead of the green fields and hills, we 
should have retraced our steps. 



OPEN LOVE ^03 



MARIE 

But we didn't. We camped on the desert, 
suffering its heats instead of going back and 
jstarting anew. And now — 

LOWDEiq" 

I wonder if we're too old, too used to the 
desert to go back and start anew? 

MARIE 
I am going to try it. Oh it may be a long 
journey, but if I get to the hills just before 
death, I Avill be satisfied. 

LOWDEN 
I have not the courage, it's a long long road 
for a lone traveler. 

MARIE 
Just the same, I am going to go it. 

LOWDElsr 
Ideals. Ideals. jS^ow our lives have run 
parallel like two tracks. Since we're both going 
the same direction, couldn^t we switch, 
sort of go back the road together? 

MARIE 
Lowden, I don't say I love you, but I think 
it will come because you was the one 
to awaken me. 



104 OPEN LOVE 



LOWDEN 
Will you marry me I 

:marie 

But the club? 

LOWDEN 

Bosh, we will leave it with the rest of the 
desert. 

MARIE 

Cupid has followed us and his aim was 
tnie. 

LOWDEI^ 
I'm going inside barbed wire with the rest 
and I'm the happiest pri&oner old King Oupi^ 
ever captured, and we 'shall make our trip to 
the hills, the hills and trees I thought I was 
only to Idream about, while I slept on desert 
sands. 



I 



OPEN LOVE 



105 



P A R T S I X 

Lowden and Sweet lare discovered. 

LOWDEN 
Here we are again, just as we were twenty 
ilong years ago. 

EALPH SWEET 
And as I felt then, I looked forward to 
■this day, sacrificed a lot, and now {he pauses) 

LOWDEN 
The thrill is not as we hoped. Still I must 
.say, Wallow ought to make a deep impression. 

EALPH SWEET 
.Everything is changed since the last trial. 

LOWDEN 
Except us. We are of the thick-headed type. 
Hiat is why Sweet, I want to tell yoTi some 
thing, so that if we should not have success, 
you will not think me a quitter. 

RALPH SWEET 
What do you mean, my dear Lowden? 



106 OPEN LOVE 



LOWDEN 

TMs. (hands him paper) It is my resigna- 
tion. 

EALPH SWEET 
No. You can't mean it. 

LOWDEN 

1 do, I've ha;dl all I want of a foolish, ridicu- 
lous idea. This club might have succeeded 
in the Spartan daVs, or even twenty-five years- 
ago in our country. But now, why its like a 
cannibal with a spear, throwing it at the new 
railroad engine, hoping to stop the advance 
of civilization. The best he could do would be 
to make a bit of noise. I hand it to you now^ 
to show I am sticking against my will to the- 
end, as I promised and that I will leave no. 
matter how it comes out. You will do this for- 
me?" 

RALPH SWEET 

Yes Lowden, you have struck home to me.. 
I know that sounds peculiar, but I had sucIl 
pride m my daughter. God knows what haa 
become of her. But I still have my grand- 
children, and I refuse to treat them as units.. 
It's not right, I tell you. Why I have seen* 



OPEN LOVE ;j^07 



Wallow and May, who I know are my own flesh 
and blood, and yet I have not spoken. 

LOWDEN 
Why? 

KALPH SWEET 

I don't know. It's this club. It gets you 
!ike a drug. Try as you may to get away from 
it, it always draws you back, as a light does a 
moth. :N^one of us have the strength to resist, 
.and I hope you succeed. 

LOWDEN 
I will. I have stayed only because the 
►experiment interested me, 

EALPH SWEET 
Yes, I think that is wliat has held us all, 
the idea that if the club succeeded, we would be 
famous as its head. 

LOWDEI^ 

But that day will never come. JS^ow be pre- 
pared for another shock. I'm going to marry 
Jklarie. 

EALPH SWEET 
Oh, Marie? Lowden you are joking. 



108 OPEN LOVE 



LOWDEN 
Xo I'm not. Oh, I'm not getting a beautiful 
woman I know. But then I myself, am not a 
prize. A man never thinks that he might not 
be liked by the ladies. 

RALPH SWEET 

That's true. The homeliest man is always- 
the worst flirt. 

LOWDEN 

But Marie and I have lived our lives^ 
foolishly, now we shall try to get a bit thiat was^ 
meant for us. 

RALPH SWEET 

I know, as a Populator, I should not show- 
feeling to another member, but just the same^ 
I congratulate you. {they shake hands) 

LOWDEN {looking at watch) 
It's getting late. Time we should get news^ 

RALPH SWEET 

Anna and the rest will rave over yonr 
resignation. 

LOWDEN 

That doesn't bother me. They are to me- 
like an ant trying to tumble Gibraltar. Ther 



OPJllN LOVE IQQ. 



world is a bad place, and lots of things in it 
are wrong, but after all there's a lot of good 
left. 

EALPH SWEET 
How long is Wallow going to speak ?: 

LOWDE^^ 
I don't know. He has not hinted at how 
long he was going to talk, and I have not askedl 
him. I didn't want to let him know tbat I was 
not in strict accord. 

RALPH SWEET 

It must be all over by now. Was May going 
to speak? 

LOWDEN 
No she refused. I must admire her plucik. 
She saw more of the truth than any of us. Ot 
cause it was her womanly instinct, but still 
the others failed to understand. (. Enter Derrick 
Center) 

DEREICK 
It is aU over. Wallow has spoken. 

LOWDEN 
Well, what's the ijews? 



110 OPEN LOVE 



DEIMMTK 
You must not ask nie. You must wait for 
/Our 2>i"osideiit. She isi the one to tell you. 

RALPH SWEET 
But you can tell us just a bit. We're both 
on edge. 

DERRICK (sitting down) 
' It will be told in official channels, as soon 
as the meeting has begnin. 

LOWDEK 

That's why the Germans losit the war. 
There's a real reason. Too strict a discipline, 
and not near enough to the emotion of life. 

RALPH SWEET 
Perhaps you can tell us this. Did Wallow 
speak'? 

DERRICK 
Yes, he did. 

RALPH SWEET 
Wa& he good ? I 

DERRICK 
You know Wallow's merits better than I do. 



OPEN LOVE lit 



LOWDEN 

I'll choke it out of you. How can you keep 
silent wlieii you liave news, we are just aching, 
to hear. 

DEREICK 

Duty and discipline, our rules, have been, 
getting altogether too easy. We are all viola- 
ting our oath to the club. - 

LOWDEN ; 

Damn the club. 

DEREICK 

You damn the sacred. You must apolo. 
gize. 

LOWDEN 

Apologize nothing. I said' damn the club 
and its people, people who want to stifle every 
emotion that means life. And you call it 
duty to country. 

DEEEICK 
You forget you are one of us. 



112 OPEN LOVB 



l.OWDKX 
T'lat is what I would like to forget. 
Eulcr Anna, Miriam, Marie, Mr. Ileinz (a 
new member) They all take their places at the 
table. When they are seated Anna rises. 

ANNA 
The committee is now all here. You are all 
in your proper places. Now I will read the 
-charter. 

LOWDEN 

Can't you omit that"? I have heard it a 
million times. I know it backwards. 

ANNA 

It is the law of this club. Lowden you are 
getting unruly. I shall read it. Silence. 

LOWDEN (rising) 

I propose that we abolish reading the 
charter before every meeting. 

RALPH SWEET 

I second the motion. All those in favor say 
aye. (All say aye except Derrich and Anna.) 
The ayes have it. 



OPEN LOVE -^-^o 



A-NNA 
That was a very clever move Lowd'en, but 
it is your right. 

EALPH SWEET 
And now for the news. What is it? 

ANN-A 
Faihire again. 

LOWDEK 

No. 

ANN'A 

Worse tlian before. 

LOWDEN 
Thats too bad. Was Wallow so bad? 

MAIUE. 
Wallow was brilliant. i 

A^^NA 

Silence. Wallow was all right. In fact ho 
spoke very well, just as we planned. At times 
he did seem a little false to me, but on the 
whole he left the audience impressed and sur- 
prised. 

EALPH SWEET 
Then why call it failure? 



114 OPEN LOVE 



MARIE. 
Well you see .... 

ANNA 
Silence. Raise your hand when you want 
to speak, (to Lowden) It is a blow, one thai 
we did not count on, one that makes our years 
of toil and struggle useless' and puts usi back 
to where we started from. The last time we 
did not impress. This time they were impress- 
ed against usi 

LOWDEN 
Tell me. Please explain. I am not a mind 
reader. 

MARIE. 
Can't I tell? 

ANNA 

No. As president, it is my duty to impart 
informjation to membeirs. 

LOWDEN 

I don^t care who tells me, but I want to 
know. (Enter Wallow — center) 

WALLOW 
111 tell you. 



OPEN LOVE 



115 



Wallow, how dare you come in at a meet- 
ing. Leave at once. 

WALLOW 
Meeting or no meeting, I'm going to tel] 
Mm. The impo'rtance of these meetings are 
what has spoiled my youth and kept me from 
the light. 

LOWDEIs^ 

Let him speak, it is his right. 

ANNA 
Very well. It is an honor. Wallow, you 
alone have received. 

WALLOW 

You notice my chest goes in with pride. 
Here's the way it wais. Lowden, my friend, 
I spoke with all my best self, as I had it pump 
ed into me since childliood, I twisted words 
upon words until I felt it in the atmosphere 
that I had impresvsed them and they were mine. 
Then I told our doctrine, how it would help 
the country, appeal to the little, their fathers 
had left them, and when I finished I was ap- 
plauded. The house rang with cheers and my 
Success was assured. Then suddenly there came 
a silence. The cheers died, away like thmider 



116 OPEN LOVE 



rolling over the hills. Then it became deadly 
like the air before a big storm. A yomig girl 
dressed in white, with golden curls, was stand- 
ing in the stage box, waving to the crowd. 
What a picture. She seemed to me like life 
itself as you see it represented by artists. Her 
face was fair, with flashing eyes, that riveted 
your attention. You were forced to look in 
spite of yourself. Then she spoke in a musical 
tone that fell on the ears of her audience like 
an organ in the distance on a June night. She 
told them not to be swayed by my words ; that 
they were empty. She ispoke of love in its 
purity, of mothe/r love, of all it meant, and 
then of war. She told of the sufferings our 
mad fathers brought on the world jand on 
themselves, of thousands slaughtered in a 
shameful death, and of millions tortured to 
live a life of handicap and pain. She stood 
there speaking so softly and yet so clearly 
that it seemed like a dream. Then she tumeo 
toward me, and I caught her eyes. They were 
aglow. I couldn't look straight at them, and 
yet I had to, for they followed my gaze. She 
asked me to answer to what she said. I opened 
my mouth to speak but I could not, for I w^s 
aazed and surprised Those ,eye8 helid ^e 
silent. Then she turned ^way and spoke again, 



OPEN LOVE 117 



telling the people that truth can never be lied 
about except behind her back. That was alL 
The crowd cheered and cheered. They carried 
her out of the box, and we were left alone. 

Who was she? How dared she speak? 

LOWDEl^ 

I'm sorry C missed her,. President, Mr. 
Sweet has my resignation. 

AKNA 
So you quit because of this failure? 

RALPH SWEET 
ISTo, he gave it to me before, to give to you 
no- matter whether we had failure or success. 

DERRICK 
Well what are we going to do? 

MARIE. 
It's a joke on us . 

ANNA 

Silence unit. 

MARIE. 

See here you, you're not my bosts any more. 
Who are you? I am leaving your eiUy old club. 



118 OPEN LOVE 



ANNA 
Silencie. 

MARIE. 

Silence yourself. Dioiu'fi silence me. I^ 
going to get married. 

LOWDEN 

And she'll be the best little wife for me. 

ANNA 

We don't want any of your kind anyway. 

WALLOW {tvho has been standing hy) . 

Of course I shall leave for I too' have been 
convinoed by that girl. That is why I could not 
answer. 

ANNA 
But you belong to us. The Populators. 

WALLOW 
You can't sell or buy me remember that. 

MARIE 
Don't argue with her, Wiallow, her and her 
club. It's a bum club anyway. 

ANNA 

Go out, all of you. See how the outside 
world with their ideals, will treat you when you 
haven't any money. 



OPEN LOVE 119 



WALLOW 

We shall manage. {Enter May) 

MAY 

Hello everybody, {laughing) Oh what a 
farce. 

ANXA 
You're interrupting a meeting of this club. 

MAY 
I'm glad, Wallow, she put it over on you. 
{Enter Wilke) 

WILKE 
May I come in? 

LOWDEN 
Wilke, or I'm not alive, {rising and greet- 
ing him) 

WILKE 
It is I, and you are alive. 

LOWDEi^ 
You never let us know your whereabouts. 

EALPH SWEET 
My boy, where is Mary I Is she still alive? 
{said hesitatingly) 



120 OPEN LOVE 



ANNA 
Silence. Attention. 

MARIE. 
Nobody is listening to you. 

DEERICK 
What are our people coming to. They are 
getting more civilized every day. 

WILKE 
Yes, your daughter is well. 

RALPH SWCEET 
Blessed be the Lord for that. 

ANNA 
You're interrupting a meeting of the club. 

WILKE 
I'm glad it's a meetting^ I've something to 
say to you if I may. 

LOWDEN 

Certainly, (they all sit except Wilke ivho 
speaks) 

{Loivden asks May and Wallow to leave 
the room and wait till he calls them.) 



OPEN LOVE 121 



WILE'S 

I will go back to the time we agreed to 
furnish you with two dliildren for $20,000. Well, 
we were married land used part of the money to 
buy a farm. We were very happy. Then came 
the first child a boy. We were to turn him over 
to you, when he left his mother's care. But a 
mother's care never ends till death. Mary would 
not part with him, and I too hesitated. We 
found out we had not reckoned with love, moth- 
er's love. I couldn't send back the money as 
the cropis had been bad, so I hit on the plan to 
take a boy and a girl from the orphan asylum 
and send them to you. I knew they would be 
well educated and taken care of. 

ANNA 
So you tricked us and took our money. 

WILKE 

Yes, I did, and I'm here to-day to pay it 
back. You people are all wrong. I used to be 
one of you, but thank Heaven I'm out. 

ANNA 

The same people, the same. That is all. 
We do not want your presence any longer. 



122 OPEN LOVE 



EALPH SWEET 

We do want you to be present, Wilke. I'm 
resigning to-clay, and Lowden and Marie are 
going to be married. 

WILKE 

One thing more. The girl ^v'llo spoke and 
broke up your meeting, well that was my 
daugliter. Here are the checks. $20,000 with 
my best washes, my friends. I will see you 
later. (Exit) 

ANN'A 

If we had had her. That is where we were 
cheated. Can't we hold him in some way? 

EALPH SWEET 

I believe I have enough friends here on the 
committee to do anything we want. I propose 
that we pass a bill thanking Wilke for the good 
and giving Wallow and his sister the money. 

ANInTA 
Never. 

EALPH SWEET 
All in favor say aye. (They all say aye)] 
And I suggest that Lowden be chosen to pre- 
sent it. All in favor say aye. (All say aye) 



i 



OPEN LOVE 123 



LOWDEN 
The check please. 

ANNA 
I mig'ht have expected' it from you dogs, 
go out in that worrld. T hope it turns on you 
and stings you like tiie iserpent it is. 

EALPH SWEET 

Now I propose that we pass a rule, calling 
the club at an end. We have enough here to 
do so. All those in favor of disbanding this club, 
say aye. (All say aye) Are there any Nays? 
(Anna and Derrick do not answer.) No, well 
good luck then. (Enter Wallow, May and 
Miriam.) 

LOWDEN 

Wallow, I liiave the news which I promised 
to tell you and your siste;r on this day, but 
not in here. 

MAY 
What docs all this mean? 

RALPH SWEET 
The club is gone. Tiie Populators are no 
more. It is a thing of the past. (They all 
exit, leaving Anna and Derrick alone. After 
a pause, enters a messenger. 



124 OPEN LOVE 



MESSENGER 

Excuse me, but there are 200 loyal mem 
bers, that want to know what they should do 
with their membership cards, and where they 
should go. 

AXXA 

Tell^them to tear their cards up. 

MESSENGER 
And where shall I tell them to go? 

ANNA 

Tell them to go to hell. 



FINIS 



